Electrical Circuit Laboratory

Lecturer: Prof.Dr. Adi Gheni Hemady

E-mail: Adi.gheni@mustaqbal-college.edu.iq
TA: Saja Falah Ghabbar
E-mail: Saja.Falah@mustaqbal-college.edu.iq

Experiment No.5
Thevenin's Theorem
1.1 Objective:

The objective of this exercise is to examine the use of Thévenin’s Theorem to create

simpler versions of DC circuits as an aide to analysis. Multiple methods of

experimentally obtaining the Thévenin resistance will be explored.

1.2 Components

2. Digital Multimeter.

3. Electrical and Electronic System Trainer Kit or power supply.

4. Breadboard.

5. Resistors (R1=1KΩ, R2=10K Ω, R3=5kΩ, R4=2.2kΩ)

6. Wires.

1.3 Theory

Thévenin’s Theorem for DC circuits states that any two port linear network

may be replaced by a single voltage source with an appropriate internal resistance.

The Thévenin equivalent will produce the same load current and voltage as the

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 original circuit to any load. Consequently, if many different loads or sub- circuits

are under consideration, using a Thévenin equivalent may prove to be a quicker

analysis route than “reinventing the wheel” each time.

The Thévenin voltage is found by determining the open circuit output voltage.

The Thévenin resistance is found by replacing any DC sources with their internal

resistances and determining the resulting combined resistance as seen from the two

ports using standard series-parallel analysis techniques. In the laboratory, the

Thévenin resistance may be found using an ohmmeter (again, replacing the sources

with their internal resistances) or by using the matched load technique. The matched

load technique involves replacing the load with a variable resistance and then

adjusting it until the load voltage is precisely one half of the unloaded voltage. This

would imply that the other half of the voltage must be dropped across the equivalent

Thévenin resistance, and as the Thévenin circuit is a simple series loop then the two

resistances must be equal as they have identical currents and voltages.

1. 4 Experiments:

Connect the circuit as shown in Figure (3) With DC voltage = 12V and R1=1KΩ,
R2=10K Ω, R3=5kΩ, R4=2.2kΩ then using the digital multimeter.

Figure1.1 Figure 1.2

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 1. Consider the circuit of Figure 1.1 using E = 10 volts, R1 = 3.3 k, R2 = 6.8 k, R3

= 4.7 k and R4 (RLoad) = 2.2 k. This circuit may be analyzed using standard

series-parallel techniques. Determine the voltage across the load, R4, and record

it in Table 1.1. Repeat the process using 8.2 k for R4.

2. Build the circuit of Figure 1.1 using the values specified in step one, with RLoad

= 2.2 k. Measure the load voltage and record it in Table 1.1. Repeat this with a

8.2 k load resistance. Determine and record the deviations. Do not deconstruct

the circuit.

3. Determine the theoretical Thévenin voltage of the circuit of Figure 1.1 by

finding the open circuit output voltage. That is, replace the load with an open

and calculate the voltage produced between the two open terminals. Record this

voltage in Table 1.2.

4. To calculate the theoretical Thévenin resistance, first remove the load and

then replace the source with its internal resistance (ideally, a short). Finally,

determine the combination series-parallel resistance as seen from the where

the load used to be. Record this resistance in Table 1.2.

5. The experimental Thévenin voltage maybe determined by measuring the open

circuit output voltage. Simply remove the load from the circuit of step one and

then replace it with a voltmeter. Record this value in Table 1.2.

6. There are two methods to measure the experimental Thévenin resistance. For

the first method, using the circuit of step one, replace the source with a short.

Then replace the load with the ohmmeter. The Thévenin resistance may now be

measured directly. Record this value in Table 1.2.

7. In powered circuits, ohmmeters are not effective while power is applied. An

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 alternate method relies on measuring the effect of the load resistance. Return the

voltage source to the circuit, replacing the short from step six. For the load, insert

either the decade box or the potentiometer. Adjust this device

Laboratory Manual for DC Electrical Circuit Analysis

Until the load voltage is half of the open circuit voltage measured in step five

and record in Table 1.2 under “Method 2”. At this point, the load and the Thévenin

resistance form a simple series loop as seen in Figure 1.2. This means that they “see”

the same current. If the load exhibits one half of the Thévenin voltage then the other

half must be dropped across the Thévenin resistance, in other words V RL = VRTH.

Consequently, the resistances have the same voltage and current, and therefore must

have the same resistance according to Ohm’s law.

8. Consider the Thévenin equivalent of Figure 11.2 using the theoretical ETH and

RTH from Table 11.2 along with 2.2 k for the load (RL). Calculate the load

voltage and record it in Table 11.3. Repeat the process for a 8.2 k load.

9. Build the circuit of Figure 11.2 using the measured ETH and RTH from Table 11.2

along with 2.2 k for the load (RL). Measure the load voltage and record it in

Table 11.3. Also determine and record the deviation.

10. Repeat step nine using a 8.2 k load.

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 Table 1
X Theory Experimental
ETH
RTH

1.5 Discussion

1. Do the load voltages for the original and Thévenin circuits match for both

loads? Is it logical that this could be extended to any arbitrary load resistance

value?

2. Assuming several loads were under consideration, which is faster, analyzing

each load with the original circuit of Figure 1.1 or analyzing each load with

the Thévenin equivalent of Figure 1.2?

3. How would the Thévenin equivalent computations change if the original circuit

contained more than one voltage source?

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